Ebony Bowden

Singer Jessica Mauboy's clothing appears to be behind her failure to appear at the Melbourne Cup, with the Victorian Racing Club standing by its policy of protecting the exclusive rights of sponsors such as Myer.

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A miscommunication with the styling team is cited as being behind Jessica Mauboy's Melbourne Cup Day anthem no-show. Vision courtesy Seven News Melbourne.

Fairfax Media understands Mauboy was pulled from performing the national anthem just minutes before Tuesday's Melbourne Cup after the singer's stylist did not adhere to the agreed-upon outfit with the Victorian Racing Club.

Sources confirmed a similar fate befell A-list actress Hilary Swank on Derby Day, who was banned from being photographed with the Melbourne Cup trophy after wearing a dress stocked exclusively by Myer's rival, David Jones.

In a statement to Fairfax Media on Thursday, VRC CEO Simon Love said the club had a duty to protect the exclusive rights of its sponsors.

"The VRC values, respects and supports the very important commercial partners who make a vital contribution to the successful running of the Melbourne Cup Carnival," he said.

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"In many cases this involves exclusive rights and the VRC seeks to protect this exclusivity."

Mauboy made headlines on Wednesday after mysteriously vanishing from Flemington despite appearing on Instagram in full racewear garb en route to the race where she was due to sing Advance Australia Fair.

Both Swank and Mauboy were dressed by stylist Mikey Ayoubi, who refused to be drawn on the situation when contacted by Fairfax Media.

One Birdcage source said of the Mauboy drama: "One would have thought a singer is there to sing not to flog clothes".

Mauboy remained silent on social media on Wednesday morning as rumours circulated she had been pulled from performing because of "diva" behaviour.

In a statement which directly conflicted with the VRC's, Mauboy's management blamed a styling issue behind her no-show.

"There was a lot going on yesterday and there was miscommunication with her styling team," her management said. "Unfortunately by the time it was resolved the call time had been missed".

On Wednesday afternoon however, the VRC was still denying Mauboy's clothing was the issue.

"The VRC can confirm that it supplied Jessica Mauboy with a mutually approved wardrobe and she undertook a full rehearsal of the planned performance on the eve of Emirates Melbourne Cup," a statement provided to Fairfax Media read.

"The club has no details as to why Jessica Mauboy didn't perform and continues to seek clarification from her management."

The singer herself apologised on Wednesday afternoon, with fans writing messages of support despite accusations of diva behaviour.

"Thank you to everyone for all the messages of concern, I am OK," Mauboy wrote on Facebook.

"I am so sorry I didn't perform at the Melbourne Cup yesterday, I was really looking forward to it and of all the days for things to go wrong, unfortunately this was the one. I am so sorry to everyone for the disappointment."